World briefing

At least 3 killed in crash of B-52

July 22, 2008

GUAM — An Air Force B-52 bomber crashed off Guam on Monday, killing at least three airmen and leading to an intensive ocean search for the remaining three crew members, the military said.

Three vessels including a destroyer, three helicopters, two F-15 fighter jets and a Navy P-3 Orion aircraft based in Japan were involved in the search, which covered roughly 3,000 square miles of the Pacific, a Coast Guard spokesman said.

The B-52 that crashed reportedly was unarmed and en route from Guam's Andersen Air Force Base to conduct a flyover in a parade on another part of the island, the Air Force said.

The Liberation Day parade celebrates the day the U.S. military arrived on Guam to retake control of the island from Japan during World War II.